In the book of Ezra, Ezra shared about “the children of the province that went up out of the captivity” which included those who came with “Zerubabbel”, and “some of the chief of the fathers, when they came to the house of the LORD which is at Jerusalem, offered freely for the house of God to set it up in his place”, and in chapter two and verse sixty-nine of Ezra, Ezra shared how the chief of the fathers, “gave after their ability unto the treasure of the work” where we read,
They gave after their ability unto the treasure of the work threescore and one thousand drams of gold, and five thousand pound of silver, and one hundred priests' garments.
The verse reads, “They gave after their ability unto the treasure of the work threescore and one thousand drams of gold, ...” Ezra began with the words, “they gave after their ability” which means “they, the forefathers or elderly people of Israel, their, the forefathers or elderly people of Israel's set, put, bestowed, granted and ascribed in keeping with their strength, power and wealth” “unto the treasure of the work” which means “toward the storehouse, supplies and depository belonging to the business, occupation and property” “threescore and one thousand drams of gold” or “sixty one thousand pertaining to the unit of measure or drachma which was about one hundred and twenty eight grains of gold metal”. Ezra said the forefathers of Israel bestowed sixty one thousand measures of gold metal to the storehouse of the temple in Jerusalem.
The verse continues, “... and five thousand pound of silver, and one hundred priests' garments.” Ezra added the words, “and five thousand pound of silver” or “and five thousand maneh, mina or parts pertaining to silver metal”, “and one hundred priests' garments” which means “and one hundred tunics, long shirt-like clothing usually made of linen for the principal, chief and officiating officers in the temple”. Ezra accounted for five thousand measures of silver metal and one hundred linen articles for clothing the officiating spiritual officers within the temple.
When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Ezra how there was an accumulation of gifts which were given by the forefathers or older men who were among them. These supplies of gold, silver and priestly clothing would be useful in the rebuilding of the temple and the ongoing worship services that were to be carried out there. God gives us whatever we have in our lives, and because he owns it all, when we contribute to His work we are returning to Him that which is already His. (See Psalm 24:1) God gave to us when He provided His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when we yield to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and allow us to participate in building His Kingdom by giving to Him that which He has already given to us. (See Malachi 3:10) .
Next time Ezra shares how, “all Israel” dwelt “in their cities”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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